Funky Necklace Storage and a Realization

When I showed you my easy craft scissors storage on Monday I promised to share what I did with the necklaces that were hanging where my craft scissors went.

Now before I continue I have to say that I loved them hanging on the side of my computer armoire. They were pretty to look at, but they were taking up way too much valuable storage real estate.

I should mention that I rarely wear necklaces. I buy them for crafting, and for using in my wind chimes. I usually get them for 50 cents to $1, and sometimes in bunches for a steal.

I’ve had this necklace storage idea for years but finally decided to do it because I just realized why my past reorganizing efforts in this room have always been temporary, and I can’t believe this never occurred to me before.

It’s because I was always more interested in pretty rather than practical. Oh yes… most definitely… count me guilty.

That’s not to say I don’t want things to be pretty. I love pretty!

But this is a work room and if things don’t function in a way that helps me to work all the pretty in the world isn’t going to make up for that.

I always thought it would… but turns out it doesn’t… not for me anyway.

Who knew?

From now on in this room practical comes first with pretty as a very close second.

So I finally decided to go ahead and start storing the things I want to have handy in a functional way that makes them a part of the decor as well.

It was pretty, but I quickly found out that I had to have the beaded curtain pulled over to my silver cake server curtain tie back most of the time because it was tinting all my photos pink.

So it was totally not practical.

Now in my mind practical is not a bad word… and does not have to be boring. To me it means purposeful… serving a function.

And practical can definitely be pretty at the same time…. and pretty funky too.

So here’s this window now. (Very hard to get a good pic with the winter light of a snowy day streaming in.)

This has got to be the easiest necklace storage ever. I just took necklaces and hung them on the curtain rod. Nothing to it.

For the ones that didn’t have their own clasps I used some of those simple loop-type shower curtain rings.

Now my necklaces are nicely organized out in the open… they’re practical and pretty… they’re safe from the paws of several feline mischief seekers and, most importantly, they’re not taking up any extra space.

I said I loved my necklace display before, but I love this one even more.

The necklaces are so easy to remove when I need to use one for a project… or shocker of all shocks… if I actually want to wear one. lol.

I’ve already added a few more since these pics were taken, and there’s still lots of room for more.

You’ll notice a few other things as well. I put my roll of bubble wrap up on the side of my bookcase because this keeps it out of the way, but it’s very easy to roll it out and cut what I need. It slips on to a simple 12″ shelf bracket.

Also, I’m keeping my collection of wooden rolling pins in the green bins. One of these days I’ll get around to using them in a project that I have in mind. You’ll notice that one has even been painted white already. It’s one step closer than all the others,

So what did I do with my pink funky beaded curtain?

I moved it to the other window in the room where it can stay hanging down all the time.

It’s much better here.

I pulled a bunch of my silver and silver plate trays and hung them on the curtain rod as a valance. I still have a few to dig out of my greenhouse that I can hang here too.

I’m using those metal shower curtain rings again here, and any trays that didn’t have cut-out designs in them are hung from the rings using binder clips.

You can see in the above pic that I still have some work to do in the lower regions of the room. I’m working my way from the top down. lol.

Before these trays were piled on top of each other on a shelf. This way I can see them when I’m making a garden plate flower or a wind chime or whatever other project I might want to use them for.

So again, I think this is practical and pretty… and pretty funky too, which totally works for me.

John keeps joking that I’m using every square inch of this 8′ x 11′ room… and I’m trying to do just that. In a small room like this it’s a must to find creative ways to store things.

Comments

Oh, my! I absolutely love both those windows! Great ideas! I have a gauzy fabric swept over an ornate rod for my sliding glass door and I hang little sparkly doodads and whatnots using fishing line. They fall just below the fabric but not so low we have to dunk our heads to go out the door. Privacy isn’t an issue so there’s no need for full-time drapery. You’ve really got me thinking now. Might be time for a change up. 🙂

Okay, I knew I’d be amazed and I am AMAZED! A valance out of necklaces is just too fabulous. And then one out of silver plates is definitely funky! I showed my husband and told him I just don’t have a creative brain or imagination like that. I am a good copier though!

Thanks AnnMarie! Don’t sell yourself short… you definitely have an imagination. I remember that framed tree you did at Christmas time. It was fabulous! It’s so much fun to think outside of what is normally done. We just have to give ourselves permission to do that. I’m so glad you like my windows. 🙂

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again–you are SO clever! And you’re totally right–practical and pretty. I feel there’s no hope for my work room, so it’ll never be as cute as yours. (sigh) Keep up the good work, Tuula 🙂

Thanks Diana! This craft room redo is really stretching my imagination. I need to get as much in as I can while taking a little room up as possible. lol. Sounds impossible I know. But there’s always hope. lol.

Hi Tuula…I’m visiting rom Roses of Inspiration and your feature was the first thing that drew my eye! What a completely wonderful idea to hang your necklaces as a valance! And then I saw your silver platter/trays…OMGosh!! Truly the coolest way to make very unique and easy window treatments! I have quite a few vintage necklaces that are hanging on the back of my door. This is just fabulous!

Thank you so much Debby! Get those necklaces off the door and add them to your decor. 🙂 I’m sure they’ll look fabulous as a valance, and they’ll make you smile every time you look at them. I love mine, and because I use them in projects it’s easy to remove them, but also to add new ones as I find them.

This so rocks! I currently have vintage, rusted farm implements hanging in between other pieces of more traditional decor in my bedroom, hall, and bathroom. Those old pitch forks, hoes, rakes, shovels (make great shrine like shelves) and some unknown dangerous looking tools make a wonderful juxtaposition against pearls, rose quartz…I also use a necklace or two on all lampshades throughout the house to showcase special talismen or brootches. My favorite shade has glass pearls wound around the top, a Cookie Lee amber drop necklace and amber glass crystals on fishing line adhered with magnetic findings amongst the shade’s original fringe. All that said, I have piles of necklaces residing in a lovely suitcase. Like you, Tuula, I love necklaces, especially thrifted ones, but seldom wear them. Your valance thrills me. Now I just have to decide whether to use it over a mirror made from an old window casing or as a change for a headboard. Your ideas knock me out! Hats off.

Welcome

Hey there, I’m Tuula and I hope I can inspire you to create a home that smiles. I’m a repurposing, reusing, redecorating, redoing, rethinking and DIYing kinda gal who loves to share budget-friendly projects for the home and garden. I’ve always rebelled against the idea that it takes a lot of money to create a home that you love, that expresses you and your own unique sense of style. Your home doesn’t have to be magazine-worthy to be amazing, but it does have to be you-worthy. And it can be! Read more here.